Just curious. I seen the other "motor swapping thread" and it just got me thinking. Someone recently said a 6V92T (I think??) was a good swap.

Still haven't had a chance to finish figuring out my over heat problem, but a motor rebuild is one of the last options. And before doing that, I wanted to get all the info I can. By the way, she seems to be getting even more "addicted to ether".

Chaz, Addicted to ether is probably one of the worst problems you can have. I would suggest a compression check but make sure they do it correctly. The motor should be at operating temp before they start the test.Your options are pretty limited but I had a 4905 GMC with a silver 6V92 and it had more or less the same power as my current MCI. I have come to the conclusion that unless we two strokers want to get terrible gas mileage and do a rebuild considerably sooner than stock settings, the 8V92's are the only serious power available.

By the way, I think having those as our only real options without spending at least 20k sucks FWIW.

I wish they would have had more foresight in the way designed the engine bays and that they would have left the transverse mounting in some buses out altogether. That sure would have made parts more interchangable and would have given us more options with future engine choices.

I have read or heard somewhere on here that you can get a Allison V730 that will run in reverse. This may allow you to have more engine options.Other more experienced people might add to this option.However with my limited money i would find a used 8V71 and go slow up the hills.This motor have worked for years. From what others have said its cheap to maintain. No turbo or excess heat to worry about.I guess Nimco in NY has many LH 8V71 ready to go for $2500.00.I am no expert nor am I tell you what to do. I did go through a phase of wanting lots of HP from an engine.Going slow will save gas and allow me more trips in my bus.

Interesting thoughts guys. I like thinking out of the box, but not out of my wallet. It would probably be different if I could do the work myself, but a DD is more than I can handle. Could any Cat motors work?? I'm not up on my diesel mills, but I know allot of guys like Cats for some reason. I guess I"ll have this ol girl looked over and see what she needs, first. Then we'll see what I can afford.

Cost would be a serious driving force in my choosing a new engine, but that does not mean that I would go with the cheapest exchange. If possible, I would prefer an engine that is still in production. If that were not affordable, I would want one the is still so commonly in use that I could find mechanics and parts anywhere. I believe that the number mechanics that really know DD 2 cycles is diminishing. The mechanic that I was using before I moved south said he hadn't worked on any in many years. He was, of course, a truck mechanic, but its a good chance that it will be a truck mechanic you will have to depend on when traveling. Again, I would not totally disqualify another 2 cycle if the price were right, but I would hope to find something more modern if I could.

I have driven 4106s with the 8V71 and the 6V92 and the 6V92 makes for a very nice upgrade. They are inexpensive, and though not on every corner, there will still be mechanics out there that can work on them.

Not mentioned often; hard starting, and an engine that likes ether, can sometimes be attributed to failing injectors. So if all other test are ok you might need injector work.

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L. Christley - W3EYE Amateur ExtraBlue Ridge Mountains, S.W. VirginiaItís the education gained, and the ability to apply, and share, what we learn.Have fun, be great, that way you have Great Fun!

Chaz- cheapest is to overhaul your engine to a turbocharged and air to air intercooled. Next would be to swap for a 6V-92TA. But I'm getting to the point where I believe we should be getting away from the 2 stroke Detroits since they are getting harder to find competent mechanics, parts are getting harder to get, and the straight weight 40 is hard to findThe V730 (mechanical version) and the V731 (electronic version) are both available with a reverser gear that allows you to run a normal 4 stroke engine. One to consider would be either the ISC mechanical at 300hp, or the Cummins L10 mechanical at 335hp. If you want to up grade to an electronic engine, then the Cummins ISL (same outside dimensions as the ISC) at up to 425hp and 1250lb/ft torque would be my choice and would be about 700lb lighter then your 8V-71, and probably get close to twice the mileage (aroune 9-12). There aren't many more choices since the rear of the buffalo is to short for a T drive setup. Good Luck, TomC

Thanx Tom! Great info and good points. Especially since I tend to be one to keep what I buy. (I've had my daily driver 1956 Chevy for 29 years and my Harley 28 years. That's just a couple of what i got.) So if the time comes, I may need to look at one of these later model motors.

So how come people get all worried about right hand vs. left hand if a reverser gear can solve the issue? Are they expensive? Hard to get? don't work well?.................What?

I would probably make the decision to stay away from the electronic stuff. (it's just me)

Thanx guys. Great food for thought. I'd love to see a thread/post of all the pros and cons. It's just nice to know. Chaz

If one were to keep an eye out for a bus equipped with a right hand V730 or V731 for a future upgrade to a four stroke, what buses and years would I want. I would prefer to have the whole rig when doing a conversion just to be sure all the parts are there.

Is there a source for a complete conversion right hand V drive trans? If the series 50s are being junked, I would think there should be some of the trans around somewhere.

Thanx Tom! Great info and good points. Especially since I tend to be one to keep what I buy. (I've had my daily driver 1956 Chevy for 29 years and my Harley 28 years. That's just a couple of what i got.) So if the time comes, I may need to look at one of these later model motors.

So how come people get all worried about right hand vs. left hand if a reverser gear can solve the issue? Are they expensive? Hard to get? don't work well?.................What?

I would probably make the decision to stay away from the electronic stuff. (it's just me)

Thanx guys. Great food for thought. I'd love to see a thread/post of all the pros and cons. It's just nice to know. Chaz

So Chaz, Have you updated your Harley yet? I'm sure you would get better mileage and performance with a new Japanese engine/transmission. I would go with Mr. Fairchild's recommendation and have a new 8V71 vs. a used different engine but I am a 2 cycle fan. One of my first long trips will be to Mr. Fairchild's shop for a complete tune-up of my 8V92.

The ZF transmissions are much more robust and can be configured just about any way you want them.

TomC is always talking about the V730 still having parts available, but with todays economy, I believe that won't last much longer... remember, Automotive Manufacturers are only required to carry a 7 year inventory of parts.. even the 50 series is held to that.

I don't think there are too many manufacturers of buses anymore that even use a V-drive configuration.. why would Allison continue to support it? Just like the VS2-X, (which is my favorite), the V730, HT740, HT741, HT748, HT754 are all going by the wayside.

Here is a picture of a bus that was way ahead of it's time.. Timetogo40 sent it to me and I had forgotten about them... this is a Flx "New Look" with what looks like a 6-71 Tdrive. No reason if that could be done that a real GMC coach couldn't be changed to a T-Drive.

I did a similar change back in the early 80's and put a 4-71 with a 653MT in an Old Look GMC.. wasn't hard, just a bunch of welding in new struts and "Disney Design."

If one were to keep an eye out for a bus equipped with a right hand V730 or V731 for a future upgrade to a four stroke, what buses and years would I want. I would prefer to have the whole rig when doing a conversion just to be sure all the parts are there.

Is there a source for a complete conversion right hand V drive trans? If the series 50s are being junked, I would think there should be some of the trans around somewhere.

Actually Lee, I had thought many times to upgrade to a generator shovel motor but........... no need. I can still work on the ol'girl much easier than the new stuff (it's like a 2 cylinder Briggs and Stratton). I have upgraded the 6v. system, I use an electronic regulator, and a new magneto. Plus, they still repop EVERY part for it yet. So I'm covered as far as my scoot goes.

So it's not like I am doing it - IF I would ever do it - just for fun, I'm trying to think ahead and do what would be best in the long run. Maybe it's a normal worry that people have time to time, but I keep hearing about the possibility of trouble in getting parts and good mechanics to work on the ol'girl in the future. Right now I'm ok, but................. (like I said, I tend to keep things a looooooooooong time)

So, again, my thoughts aren't so much about mileage, but reliability as it seems my motor may be needing some help soon. And if so, while I'm at it, would it be a good idea to upgrade? It's just a thought. I wish I knew more about all the engines and tranys and combinations of both, (like I do Harley's and small block Chevy's) but I don't. So that's where I'm hoping some of you guys would help with some ideas. Oh, and by the way, I'm ok with the power I have thus far,(altho pulling a tire roasting hole shot would REALLY get some heads turning! :Dlololololo) and altho the mileage is not great, (I understand we're just not going to get 30mpg, but it would be nice to do a little better tho ) all things considered, what would be a good setup?

Thanx for the info and thoughts, Chaz

p.s. Jap bike stuff?!?! NO F**KING way!! The only thing Jap so far is the regulator. (damn shame too)